Monarda plant named ‘Mondid 0803’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Monarda  plant named ‘Mondid 0803’, characterized by its vibrant reddish-purple colored flowers and its powdery mildew resistance.

Botanical classification: Monarda didyma L.

Varietal denomination: ‘Mondid 0803’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Monardadidyma L. known by the varietal name ‘Mondid 0803’. The new variety is aproduct of a planned breeding program conducted in Germany. The purposeof the breeding program was to develop new powdery mildew resistantcultivars. The new variety was selected as a single plant growing amongseedlings from a cross between two unnamed and unpatented Monarda didymaL. plants. The new variety is similar to its parents in habit and flowertype, but exhibits powdery mildew resistant. The mildew resistance traitdistinguishes ‘Mondid 0803’ as a new and distinct cultivar from othersknown to the breeder. Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar inGermany by side shoot cuttings has shown that the unique features of thenew variety are stable and reproduced true to type in successivepropagations by asexual reproduction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying colored photographic drawings illustrate the newvariety, with the colors being as nearly true as is possible to obtainin colored illustrations of this type:

FIG. 1 is a close-up of the blooms of the new variety;

FIG. 2 illustrates an entire plant of the new variety; and

FIG. 3 shows multiple entire plants of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The cultivar ‘Mondid 0803’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length and lightintensity.

However, there is no variance in genotype.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart, except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. Plants were grown outdoors ina field. The plant was 18 months old when described under naturaloutdoor light conditions on a sunny day.

PLANT

-   Form: Mounded.-   Height from soil to top of flowers: 16″ (˜40 cm.) under dry    conditions.-   Plant diameter: 16″ (˜40 cm.).-   Vigor: Medium.-   Branching habit: Good basal and shoot branching.-   Lateral branches:    -   -   Form.—Upright.        -   Color.—Green Group 137B.        -   Length.—10″-15″ (˜25-38 cm.).        -   Diameter.—Up to 7″ (˜18 cm.).        -   Internode length.—2″ (˜5 cm.).        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Quantity.—Multiple.-   Foliage:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Number of leaves per stem.—Approximately six or more leaf            pairs.        -   Size of leaf.—Length: 3″-4″ (˜8-10 cm.). Width: 1″-2″ (˜3-5            cm.).        -   Shape of leaf (generally).—Pointed, oviform.        -   Shape of apex.—Pointed.        -   Margin type.—Dentate.        -   Fragrance.—Light mint.        -   Color.—Young leaves: Upper surface: Green Group 137B. Lower            surface: Green Group 137C. Mature leaves: Upper surface:            Yellow-Green Group 147A. Lower surface: Green Group 137B.        -   Petiole.—Length: 0.6″ (˜1.5 cm.). Diameter: 0.01″ (˜0.02            cm.). Color: 146D turning slightly purple at base. Strength:            Strong.        -   Veins.—Venation pattern: One central vein. Color: Upper            surface: The central vein is 146D turning slightly purple.            Lower surface: Pale green, 146D.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season at specified location(s): Germany,    Hardiness Zones VII-VIII.-   Flower type and habit: Typical labiate flower.-   Number of flowers per plant: Numerous inflorescences.-   Fragrance: Mint.-   Longevity: Single flowers last a few days, inflorescences can last    up to 2-3 weeks.-   Verticillaster height: 2″ (˜5 cm.).-   Verticillaster diameter: 3″ (˜8 cm.).-   Flower height: length 1″ (˜3 cm.).-   Flower diameter: 1″-2.4″ (˜3-6 cm.).-   Bud:    -   -   Stage of development when described.—At the showing of first            color.        -   Shape.—Round; tubular.        -   Diameter.—0.01″ (˜0.02 cm.).        -   Length.—0.01″ (˜0.03 cm.).-   Corolla:    -   -   Arrangement.—Typically labiate.        -   Length.—Upper lip: 0.015″ (˜0.04 cm.). Lower lip: 0.04″            (˜0.10 cm.).        -   Width.—Upper lip: 0.006″ (˜0.015 cm.). Lower lip: 0.024″            (˜0.06 cm.).        -   Shape.—Upper lip: Tubular. Lower lip: Spoon-shaped, curled            upwards.        -   Apex.—Upper lip: Round.        -   Base.—Upper lip: Tubular. Lower lip: Tubular.        -   Color.—When opening: Upper lip (upper and lower surfaces):            Red-Purple Group 60A. Lower lip (upper and lower surfaces):            Red-Purple Group 63A. Fully opened: Upper lip (upper and            lower surfaces): Red-Purple Group 60A. Lower lip (upper and            lower surfaces): Red-Purple Group 63A.-   Calyx: Color (when opening): Red-Purple Group 59A. Color (fully    opened): Red-Purple Group 59A.-   Disease resistance: Resistant to powdery mildew.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:    -   -   Number (per flower).2.        -   Filament length.—0.06″ (˜0.14 cm.).        -   Anthers.—Shape: Linear. Length: 0.008″-0.01″ (˜0.02-0.03            cm.). Color: Reddish purple.        -   Pollen.—Color: White.-   Pistils:    -   -   Length.—0.06″ (˜0.14 cm.).        -   Style color.—Purple.        -   Stigma shape.—Needle-like with two lobes.

1. A new and distinct variety of Monarda plant named ‘Mondid 0803’ asherein described and illustrated.